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November 21, 2008

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

How 'Turkey Tuesday' was saved

by Faline Fisher

Sometimes remarkable things happen. My name is Lee, and I started at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland three months ago. I am a case manager, and I wanted to share some of my experience with you.

My job is to help the people who come to the Taskforce for the various programs and services that are available both locally and federally for people living with HIV. The major part of what I do is to get people involved in their own health care-medical care, insurance, drug assistance programs

A painful decision was made to forego Turkey Tuesday this year, then a remarkable thing happened. Our clients decided to help us.

to me in ways I never imagined possible. And now, I'm grateful that our knowledge has grown, our programs have expanded, that medical care has become "commonplace" and that many of my dear friends are with me still..

Times have changed, because remarkable people did remarkable things. I was reminded of that fact earlier this week. It has been a longstanding tradition at the Taskforce that on a blustery Tuesday in late November an event called "Turkey Tuesday" occurs. On this day of joyful chaos and pandemonium, hundreds of individuals from across the county descend on the Taskforce to meet and greet with one another in celebration of the season and get a turkey.

But this year, that almost didn't happen. Turkey Tuesday is not inexpensive. We are all aware that the economic situation plagu-

ing our country is causing individuals and agencies to economize. After much discussion, the painful decision was made to forego Turkey Tuesday this year. How, we reasoned, could we provide turkeys when we needed to make sure that assistance for medical care was available? How could we offer turkeys when we needed to make sure people can keep the lights and heat on, and have transportation to doctor's appointments? Reluctantly, we made the tough decision, and sent the word out.

And then a remarkable thing happened. Our clients decided to help us. A small, dedicated group of caring individuals made the decision to approach others and tell them of our need, and the community responded! Within days, local businesses came forth and provided the funding needed. This would not have happened if "we" hadn't decided to take care of "us."

As I write, the Taskforce is bracing for the joyful pandemonium that marks the start of the season of thanks. And I am thankful, I am so thankful to the staff at the Taskforce who have guided my steps and made me welcome; I am thankful to my clients for their kindness and patience. I am thankful that so much has changed for the better. And, for the moment, I am thankful that some things have not changed: We still take care of our own, and remarkable things continue to happen.

As of now, the list of people who have stepped forward grows with each passing day, and some time soon we'll make sure to thank them all. But for now, from me, and from all of us: Happy Thanksgiving, and our thanks to all of you.

Faline Fisher is a case manager at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

and medication adherence are all part of my daily conversations and concerns. Sometimes, in the hurry of the day-to-day, I forget that there was a time when none of this existed, when there were no services, no medications, no help when we had to do it all ourselves.

I remember the start of the epidemic— when we didn't know what was happening, and called this strange new disease "GayRelated Immune Disorder" or GRID. When we lost a generation, when we ACTed UP and demanded change and dignity. I remember when the first protease inhibiters were introduced and people rose like Lazarus, and some of my friends came back

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Candles, bells honor AIDS losses in prayer service

by Rev. Keith Haithcock

Bellevue, Ky.-Candles are lit all around St. John United Church of Christ for the annual World AIDS Day prayer service. Throughout the service, a bell is rung and a candle snuffed out to remember that every 15 seconds someone in the world dies of AIDS-related illnesses. Clergy from the area and other readers lead in prayers and scripture and the choir and other musicians lead in chants and hymns.

The service will begin at 7:30 pm on December 1. A reception will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall.

This order of service was prepared, translated and published by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and adapted from the 2008 Ecumenical Pre-Conference at the International AIDS Conference: Faith in Action Now, last summer in Mexico City.

Anonymous HIV testing will also be offered at the church by the Northern Kentucky Health Department in room 201 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please use the Ward Avenue entrance.

The church is located at 520 Fairfield Ave., Kentucky Route 8, in Bellvue; a half-mile east of Newport on the Levee and a quarter mile east of Interstate 471's Bellevue/Newport/Route 8 exit. For more information go to www.StJohn Church.net or call 859-261-2066.

Rev. Keith Haithcock is the pastor of St. John United Church of Christ.

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